Dominican Court: Wander Franco Pardon Reversed
The appellate court reinstated a suspended three-year sentence for the Rays shortstop after prosecutors argued the initial pardon was legally flawed.
By Rachel Wilson ·
A three-year suspended prison sentence now stands against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco. The Dominican Republic’s appeals court issued the ruling on Thursday, effectively reversing a judicial pardon that had previously cleared the 25-year-old player.
Prosecutors successfully argued that the lower court’s original pardon relied on a mistaken interpretation of the law. They maintained that specific legal provisions, intended for exceptional circumstances, did not apply to Franco’s case. The appellate panel sided with the prosecution, upholding the conviction for sexual and psychological abuse of a minor.
Franco remains free from immediate custody but must adhere to strict conditions. He is required to maintain a fixed residence and remain under judicial supervision. The court cited his age and the goal of social reintegration as reasons for these conditional terms. If he fails to meet any requirement, he will serve the full three years behind bars.
The legal battle began in January 2024 when authorities arrested Franco. He faced accusations of a four-month relationship with a 14-year-old girl and transferring thousands of dollars to her mother for consent. A lower court convicted him in June 2025. That same year, in December, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, stopping the salary he had received during administrative leave. He has not played in the majors since.
The court also finalized the penalty for the minor’s mother. She received a 10-year prison sentence for commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering. The ruling ordered the forfeiture of approximately $34,000 found in her possession. Prosecutors stated that the funds represented payment from Franco in exchange for her consent.
Franco and his legal team left the courthouse without speaking to reporters. MLB declined to comment on the decision. The Rays were eliminated from the World Series by the Milwaukee Brewers the previous night. Franco, who signed an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021, retains the right to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Justice of the Dominican Republic.
Source: WUSF Public Media
